Pakistan Test captain, Azhar Ali, thinks his team can beat England in the upcoming three-match series in the UK, provided the visitors' batting unit clicks in those conditions.
Azhar says if Pakistan is able to put runs on the board, it has a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets and do that efficiently.
"I think that if our batting can put together totals around 300 or more we have the potential to beat England. On recent tours we have made strong comebacks and done well there," said Azhar during a media interaction before the team's departure on Sunday (June 28).
"I believe we have a pace-cum-spin attack which can give England a run for their money," he added. "Youngsters like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah or Muhammad Hasnain have immense potential to succeed in English conditions while we have plenty of experience as well in our bowling."
The team is leaving early in order to adhere to the 14-day quarantine rules in Worcester due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of which will be seen via the new regulations in play during the series, including ban on usage of saliva.
Azhar, however, thinks his bowlers can do even without the traditional method of ball-shining.
"I don't think not being able to use saliva to shine the ball is a big problem. Pace bowlers usually sweat a lot and plus the Duke ball has a lot of wax coating so the shine remains for a long time and it can be polished with sweat."
"Bowlers get natural movement with the Duke ball in English conditions and not being able to use saliva means our bowlers can also try to reverse swing it more."
After Worcester, the visitors will move to Derbyshire on July 13 to further prepare for the series. They will also be playing two inter-squad warm-up matches before the first Test.
The dates and venues for the three-match Test series, as well as the three T20Is Pakistan will play, haven't been officially announced yet.
The tour had earlier this week hit a major roadblock when 10 Pakistani players and one support staff personnel were declared COVID-19 positive. Those individuals are currently being monitored and once they turn negative, will join the squad in the UK.
"I think if someone tests positive it is a surprise and this happened with our players but generally I think in this lockdown period the players have kept themselves fit and ready for cricket," said Azhar, who is taking confidence from how comfortably West Indies has adjusted to the bio-secure bubble in Manchester for the Test series it will play next month before Pakistan faces the hosts.
"The West Indies are already there and they appear to be comfortable and safe and are preparing now for their Tests."
(Inputs from PTI)
